We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Elijah Knight a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Elijah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

When doing auditioning training workshops or being at film festivals, I’ve sometimes been told/or been made to feel by certain industry professionals that I’m too intense (not in an aggressive way but more in a hyperactive way).

First of all, in their defence, I have to say that the professionals in question see thousands of actors a year and are bound to develop certain stereotypes as to navigate through the vast and cloudy mass of actors efficiently. And I can’t blame them: being an exec in film is a very tough job (and I actually like the people I’m talking about).
That being said, with those quick characterizations, actors who have a multitude of identities due to having lived different types of lives across the globe tend to be put in a box (as a matter of fact, all actors, if not humans do).

It’s ironic to me that in an industry where being versatile is the goal, one may exactly be ignored by execs for one’s versatility because they can’t shove one in a box. They might ask: why does this person speak so many languages? How can they have so many nationalities at the same time? How do they have time for athletics next to acting? How can they have so many personal projects and be (somewhat) successful in areas outside of acting? They must be a phony… (when in reality, my other personal projects are there to make me grow as an actor).

Sometimes my passion may be understood as superficiality or bravado because one may think “how can one maintain such a level of energy for longer than an hour?” Well, Tom Cruise does it, Chris Pratt does it, actors all over the world do it.
Guys like them are my artistic champions and I don’t see why someone would have to wait to be famous or be a star as to be their true dynamic selves and not shy away from being present in a room. Everyone is allowed to have a personality.

This may sound arrogant but to be honest, I believe that I may at times be mischaracterized because I don’t fit into WOKE society. This is ironic because the good initial movement that preceeded the WOKE transformation set out for true inclusion.
One mischaracterization I might be subject to is that of a hypermasculine, muscular, ambitious macho knowitall, which couldn’t be further from the truth and has, in my opinion, become a way to pinpoint certain gentlemen who do not fit the cliché of the mediocre, subdued WOKE person.

The truth is just that I’m a guy who loves acting and happens to have served as an army ranger, has a certain body type, went to the third best business school in Europe, speaks 3 languages fluently (native level) and is quite competitive in general.
Although I just enjoy life and all sorts of challenges for personal growth, I believe that the latter sometimes sadly signal a red flag of toxic white masculinity to certain film execs.

Hence, I sometimes feel that if I were less successful in areas outside of acting, I would get cast more because then I would fit the prototype of WOKE mediocrity more.
It’s interesting how a cause that initially had the great purpose to fight discrimination has at times turned into a propeller of reverse-discrimination.

For example, there is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with being a minority. Just like there is absolutely nothing wrong with being a majority, or with being successful in general, for that matter.

Since when has being a friendly go-getter become a sin?

There’s really something I want to get off my chest about my behavior sometimes being perceived as an always-smiling guy: even when I’m joking, I’m serious. The whole reason I smile a lot is BECAUSE I’m sincere. Deep down, I’m a very serious person who has their demons just like anyone else and my upbeat and motivated personality is my way of fighting symptoms of depression and not falling into a devil’s circle. Most comedians are a prime example of such behavioral patterns: humor is their coping mechanism. I have to be positive and go-getting as not to be crushed by my sensitive side (or people taking advantage of it).

Having lived in several countries and in opposite environments (e.g. growing up with two women with constant exposure to classical music and in contrast, going to hockey prep school with a bunch of Alphas), I tend to feel like a foreigner in my own country (Switzerland).
Switzerland is an amazing country, which I love very deeply, however my fellow countrymen have a tendency to be like our country: neutral. ;) (which -don’t get me wrong- is a great thing politically speaking ;).

Hence, I have often heard the comment (or at least felt it): “you’re OVERmotivated” or “you’re such a nerd”.
Well, guess what: I AM.
That to me, is a very UNAMERICAN QUESTION! How could anyone be overmotivated, I ask. We only have one life and I want to live it to the full. :D

Puuuuuuh, enough complaining! After all, I don’t want to go WOKE ;)

At the end of the day, I’m thankful for any misconception because it just makes me think twice before judging others. :)
Moreover, it inspires to write scrips that promote a different narrative.
Last but not least, every rejection happens for a reason and pushes me towards indie projects that I can support ethically and where I can be myself. :)

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Funnily enough, the most unartistic place ever made me an artist! While serving in the army, we had some pretty peculiar drill sargeants as one can imagine..;)
I made it my hobby to lighten up the mood by impersonating our “superiors” for my brothers. Eventually, all those impersonations accumulated into a sketch show at the end of bootcamp and that’s where all my comrades encouraged me to pursue acting.
A month later, I joined the student theatre in college!

My USP is that I am the only Swiss actor who acts accent free (native speaker) in English, French, German and Swissgerman and at the same time, does their own stunts.

What I’m most proud of is my family and best friends for sure. They’re my rock and they’ve made me realize that pursuing this dream of mine is a voluntary priviledge and not an obligation. That realization makes all the difference in the world when it comes to dealing with setbacks. I CHOSE THIS LIFE!

Career wise, I’m most proud of the Swiss Lord of the Rings Spin Off “Battles of the Fords of Isen” in which I’m the lead. What makes me the most proud is the people I was lucky enough to work with. What they’ve done with so little cinematic resources is incredible.
they say: you either have money or courage. Well, let’s say our team had courage. ;)

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I want to prove that one can make it without being an a**hole. I also wish to show that people who are meant to make it will!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I don’t have to be in an office. I get to be a human and interact with real humans with strengths and flaws.

P.S. Nothing against offices, you’re the guys who keep us one $ away from broke! Plus, I love the TV Show “The Office”. ;)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.actorelijahknight.com/
• Instagram: @actorelijahknight
• Facebook: Elijah Knight – Actor
• Youtube: @ek5158
• Other: https://www.castupload.com/actors/elijah-knight

Image Credits
Maurice Haas Photography